In brief On 22 July 2025, the UK Cabinet Office made three major announcements relating to the National Security and Investment Act (“NSI Act”), which embodies the UK’s foreign direct investment (“FDI”) screening process. Firstly, the UK Government confirmed its intention to create exemptions to the NSI Act regime for certain types of internal reorganisations. Secondly, it launched a planned consultation on a raft of proposed changes to the notifiable sectors, including the introduction of…
Samantha Mobley and Farin Harrison • In recent years, the investment policy landscape has become more complex as nations respond to national security threats, state development strategies and geopolitical risks. Covid-19 created a major economic shock worldwide, prompting some countries to take an even more stringent approach, with a focus on protecting the security of supply of inputs.• Many jurisdictions continue to tighten their screening rules or are introducing robust new measures to protect strategically…
Mandatory, CFIUS-style screening system in place for transactions in 17 industry sectors On 11 November 2020, the UK Government introduced the long-anticipated National Security & Investment Bill before Parliament. The new law will significantly expand the Government’s existing powers to review the national security implications of transactions and has been timed to coincide with the end of the Brexit Transition Period. The reforms follow concerns globally about foreign control of national businesses active in sensitive…